*25. The End*

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Finally, the big day of their presentation had arrived. Krist had to admit that it had been quite the journey up to that point, and he often wasn't sure they were going to make it to performance. But everything had worked out at the end and now they were all ready.

Off and Gun were now friends again and the atmosphere between them was less and less tense, which were great for the play and their friends' group. Krist and Gawin also managed to be in the same room without that unpleasant feeling that they had missed something very important, and everyone seemed to be prepared for the big opening. Even Neo looked less nervous than everyone expected - although he looked like he was going to throw up at any moment.

The theater was full and that made Krist a little tense, but he tried to control his anxiety. He didn't have a big part at the play, so he absence in those weeks where he was down wouldn't make a huge impact on his performance. He was doing some breath control movements in front of the mirror when Gawin joined him.

"You'll do great, I promise you. Just remember to have fun", Gawin whispered. Krist smiled back to him. Even though they weren't together anymore, it was good to know that Gawin still cared about and took care for him.

"Easy for you to say when you're going to be backstage with Neo," Krist snapped, but he was still smiling.

"Well, think about it this way: if everything goes wrong... the fault always lies with the directors."

The two laughed casually. But Gawin could not stay there long. As an assistant director, he needed to help behind the scenes, making sure everything was running smoothly. For him and Neo, the job didn't end until the curtains closed, and the crown were gone.

"You can go. I'll be fine," Krist assured him.

"I know you will."

The two exchanged an intense glance for a few seconds and then Gawin withdrew. Krist continued his breathing work.

In the end, the show was all right. Sometimes it looked like one or another actor was going to forget one of their lines, but when that happened, they improvised something along the lines of what was supposed to be said. When the last scene ended, they received a standing ovation and Gawin and Neo each received a bouquet of flowers, a gift from their colleagues.

For Krist, if asked what his best college memory had been, maybe that moment was a strong candidate for the position.

When university ended, Krist understood why many people drifted away from their friends. Finding time to socialize amid so many adult life obligations was difficult. But he and his group of friends figured it out. After all, they had been through much worse.

Over time, those weeks of depression seemed like just a distant nightmare, given the achievements he achieved. Krist started working at a hospital as a urologist, moved into his own apartment, went on dates that didn't result in longer lasting relationships. He made it his priority to live one day at a time.

On the day that completed five years since they had graduated, the group decided to unite again, went to a bar and drink as much as they could. They just wanted to celebrate. Off, Gun, Mike, New and Krist. Just them. After graduation, Gawin had gone to study in France and, since then, the two spoke very little to each other these days.

They lives looked quite different now. Mike was married to a guy named Arm, who once was his patient, Gun was in a serious relationship with Tor, Off was still single but seemed to be getting to know better a woman named Mild, and New and Krist were still both single.

They arrived one by one, on one of the few dates they had without the participation of their boyfriends. They always tried that, but someone was always busy and missed the reunion.

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